A story of when Kaito was in the Sanctuary.
While Kaito was away in the God Realm to consult with Shallow Vernal, a certain visitor arrived at Alice’s general store.
"Oh? Kuro-san, what brings you here?"
"I have some business with Shaltier. Honestly, it’s so much easier to find you when Kaito-kun is around; it's a huge help."
"Hahaha, what are you talking about? If you have business with me, you can just come to the store anytime."
"You say that, but you kept the shop closed and vanished the whole time Kaito-kun was back in his original world."
Kuromueina, having stepped into the shop, let out a soft sigh after exchanging greetings with Alice. Just as she noted, Alice usually changed her appearance frequently and moved her base of operations constantly, making her difficult to track down even for someone of Kuromueina's caliber.
However, whenever Kaito was around, she always kept a Split Body at the general store and remained near him as a guard, making it much easier to establish contact.
"Ahaha. Well, for you to go out of your way to visit me… I assume this is about 'that trading company' you’ve been so busy with lately, Kuro-san?"
"Yeah, that’s the one. I was willing to turn a blind eye if it was just a bit of petty maneuvering over sales strategies, but someone was injured recently. I think it’s finally passed the point where I can overlook it."
As the conversation reached that point, Alice set a chair out in front of the counter. Kuromueina sat down and continued.
The issue weighing on her involved a small firm under contract with the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company that had become embroiled in a dispute with a company of ill repute.
"Even though they have a contract with us, that company isn't directly under our umbrella. If I personally stepped in to settle things, it would inevitably turn into a major diplomatic incident."
"I suppose so. So, the request is for me to resolve this trouble?"
"Yes. As usual, in the most peaceful way possible."
"Kind as always, I see. It would be so much faster to just wipe them out."
It wasn't a frequent occurrence, but Kuromueina brought work to Alice like this from time to time. As one of the Six Kings and the head of the world's largest trading company, any move Kuromueina made carried immense weight. When she wanted to handle matters secretly and quietly, she relied on Alice’s unique capabilities.
Alice gave a wry smile at Kuromueina's words, then her expression turned slightly more serious.
"Well, for now… do you have a preference for who handles it?"
"I suppose Pandemonium-chan is out of the question?"
"Hmm… I understand why you’d ask. She would undoubtedly settle it perfectly and elegantly, however…"
"Is she too busy with her work at Kaito-kun's mansion?"
"Well, it's more that she’s been working with such a look of pure bliss lately that I really don't want to dump a tedious job on her. I'm sure she wouldn't refuse if I asked, but still…"
"I see. Hmm… In that case, I'm sorry to ask this again, but could I leave it to Lilim-chan?"
Kuromueina had known Pandemonium—Illness—for a long time, so she could easily agree with Alice's observation that she looked happy lately. Feeling hesitant to assign work that would disrupt that peace, Kuromueina suggested another candidate.
"Well, that’s usually how it goes. That girl is practically invincible against anyone weaker than her, so she’s a perfect fit. Alright, I'll send Lilim this time as well."
"Thank you, that helps a lot."
In the Arclesia Empire Capital, inside a room of a castle that stood out even among the many skyscrapers of the metropolis, Lilim sat gazing at her manicured fingers. She was the mother of the current Empress and one of the Ten Demons serving as an executive under the Phantasm King.
Her beauty was so overwhelming that even such a simple gesture felt like a scene from a masterwork painting. She let out a small, troubled mutter.
"I don't personally dislike this color, but it doesn't suit Chris-chan at all. For Chris-chan, a blue-based hue would look much better… perhaps something on the darker side. Hmm, I wonder if I have any good colors like that in the samples…"
Lilim was currently sorting through the latest seasonal samples sent by various cosmetic firms, selecting items that would suit her beloved daughter, Chris.
She was considering giving them to Chris as a gift if she found something exceptional, but just as she reached for the next sample, her King appeared in the room.
"Pardon the intrusion, Lilim."
"Oh, Shaltier-sama? Could it be?"
"Yes, it’s a new directive."
"Ugh… 'I'm not in the mood today, so I'll pass'—"
Lilim declined before she even heard the details, her hand already returning to the cosmetics.
She was notoriously whimsical, and rejecting a directive because she wasn't in the mood was common for her. Alice had, after all, granted her executives the right to refuse orders. Lilim took advantage of this right more than anyone else; the probability of her actually complying was roughly forty percent at best.
However, there was an exception to every rule.
"By the way, it’s a request from Kuro-san."
The moment Alice spoke those words, Lilim’s hand froze mid-air, and her shoulders slumped in immediate defeat.
"Understood. I will accept."
"Oh? I thought you weren't in the mood?"
"You really are a cruel person. You’re saying that because you know I can't refuse a request from the Underworld King-sama…"
Indeed, whimsical as she was, the only requests Lilim never rejected were those from Kuromueina. The reason was simple: to her, Kuromueina was the great benefactor who had provided the catalyst for mending her relationship with Chris. She was someone Lilim could never say no to.
"Ah, by the way, she’s actually here in person today."
"Wait, in person…?"
Immediately after Alice spoke, a black vortex appeared in the room. When Kuromueina stepped out of it, Lilim stood up from the sofa and bowed at a perfect, respectful angle.
"U-Underworld King-sama!"
"Hello, Lilim-chan. Sorry for the sudden visit."
"Not at all! You are always more than welcome, Underworld King-sama!"
"Thank you. I'm sorry to ask, but could you lend me your strength again?"
"Yes! There is no problem whatsoever! I shall have everything settled perfectly within a few days!"
Her demeanor was a complete reversal of her previous attitude. Lilim stood with her back straight as she attended to Kuromueina and listened to the details of the request.
After accepting the task without a second thought and promising a swift resolution, her expression softened, turning somewhat apologetic.
"Um, Underworld King-sama…"
"Yes?"
"If you have the time, that is… could you perhaps drop by to see Chris-chan? I'm sure she would be delighted."
"Yeah, I planned to. I want to talk to Chris for the first time in a while, too."
"Thank you very much!"
After exchanging a few more words, Kuromueina left the room to see Chris. Lilim saw her off, remaining in a deep bow until she was gone.
Once Kuromueina was completely out of sight, Lilim raised her head, only to hear an exasperated voice from behind her.
"You Shitty Bat, your attitude sure is different compared to when you're dealing with me, isn't it?"
"The Underworld King-sama is my benefactor, so that is only natural. She is nothing like a certain malicious King I know."
"Hoh, you certainly have a lot to say. In that case, for any future parenting consultations, please go look elsewhere instead of coming to this malicious King, alright?"
"I-It was a joke! Just a bit of lighthearted playfulness! You are my only King, Shaltier-sama, and I have sworn my absolute loyalty to you. Truly, I beg of you! I have no one else I can rely on for this!"
"Honestly, you use your communication magic tool for private matters far too much anyway…"
As Lilim did a complete about-face and turned imploring eyes toward her, Alice looked back with pure exhaustion.
Whenever Lilim was troubled by something regarding Chris or couldn't decide on a gift, she would consult—or rather, cry to—Alice at every opportunity using the communication tool provided only to the executives.
Among the Ten Demons, her usage rate of the tool was by far the highest, and ninety percent of that usage was for personal reasons.
"Please don't say that! Look, I've even been submitting my reports on time lately, and I'm working hard, aren't I? So, um, about that… I was hoping I might get a reward for this directive, too…"
"Sigh… you really are a Shitty Bat. Fine, what kind of additional reward do you want?"
"I'm looking for a dark-blue manicure. It doesn't have to be the actual product; even just information on where to find it would be wonderful."
Lilim wore a fawning expression as she spoke. Looking at his subordinate—who was undoubtedly competent but extremely difficult to manage—Alice let out another heavy sigh.
As a side note, despite this attitude, Lilim did not actually look down on Alice. On the contrary, just as she had stated, she was deeply devoted.
In front of the other Ten Demons, she maintained that they had a "purely professional relationship," but that was just her being dishonest. While she followed Alice because it benefited her, that was far from the only reason.
If she were asked in a place where Alice and the other subordinates were absent who the person she respected most was, she would name Alice without a moment's hesitation. Her loyalty was such that she would never serve another King, no matter what conditions were offered.
Lilim might reject nearly sixty percent of the "directives" Alice brought her based on her mood, but when it came to a formal "order," she had never failed to follow it, nor had she ever complained.
In the end, as she had admitted herself, her only King was Alice.
Serious-senpai: "So she’s basically a tsundere character? Well, I’m just glad we could take a breather before the swimsuit chapters… All right, I’m ready to face the upcoming sugar overload!"
???: "Um, excuse me… Senpai, well, about that… it looks like the next chapter is an April Fool's extra."
Serious-senpai: "Oh? Is that so? Well, it is that time of year. Wait, why are you acting so strange? Why do you look so flustered?"
???: "Ah, well, I was asked to… deliver this to you."
Serious-senpai: "Hmm? What’s this? Let’s see… 'Main Story Invitation Ticket'? What is this?"
???: "I’m still a bit confused myself but… it looks like you’re going to be in the main story next chapter, Senpai."
Serious-senpai: "Oh, I see. I'm going to be in the main story… Wait, wh-whaaaa?!"